Show Your Rare: Help Us Raise Awareness for People Affected by Rare Diseases

February 27th, 2019 /
Molly Frazier

February 28 is Rare Disease Day

Here at Luminex, we are big fans of Rare Disease Day. Celebrated annually on the last day of February, this day is not just a reminder that we can all be doing more to support patients with rare diseases as well as the caregivers, scientists and clinicians who work tirelessly to discover cures and improved treatment options. Rare Disease Day is an opportunity for the global community to come together in the fight against these diseases, rather than small groups of patients having to face the challenge alone.

2019 marks the 12th annual Rare Disease Day, which was first launched by European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) and is also supported by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). Last year, people from more than 90 countries participated in efforts to raise awareness about the significant impact of these diseases.

What Makes a Disease Rare?

According to NORD, any condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. is officially considered a rare disease. Together, the 7,000 or so known rare diseases are believed to affect tens of millions of people around the world. Perhaps what’s most heartbreaking is that half of all these diseases can be found in children.